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Natchez crape myrtle trees grow quickly to over 20' at maturity with leaves that change to red-orange in the Fall. Natchez crape myrtle makes a great ornamental shrub with its dark exfoliating bark and huge pure white flowers that last up to 4 months. The leaves turn red-orange during the Fall and the blooms are a beautiful white color. The white flowers of the Natchez crape myrtle tree occur over 110 days from June through September.

Lagerstroemia is a genus of approximately 50 species of deciduous or evergreen shrubs and trees occurring in deciduous woodland, often near rivers, in warm-temperate and tropical regions from Asia to Australia. They are cultivated for their conical, brightly colored panicles of flowers, with characteristic crinkled petals, and for their often peeling bark. The leaves vary greatly in shape within the genus, bu0t are usually opposite.
The indica specie is an upright, deciduous tree or large shrub with peeling, gray-and-brown bark and obovate to oblong, dark green leaves, to 3in long, bronze when young. From summer to autumn, white, pink, red, or purple flowers, ¾-1in across, are produced in panicles to 8in long.

Care Tips

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in soil-based potting mix in full light. During the growing season, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 6-8 weeks; water sparingly at other times. Outdoors, grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. If pruning is needed, remove wayward or crossing shoots to maintain permanent, healthy framework. Prune in late winter or early spring, when dormant; some in late summer or early autumn to prevent bleeding of sap. Will withstand hard pruning if renovation is required.

Pests and Diseases

Dieback and powdery mildew, as well as aphids, scale insects, mealybugs, and whiteflies can occur.